Bhutan is a beautiful country that greatly relies on tourism with over 50000 people employed in the sector. It closed its borders in March 2020 to stop the spread of Covid 19 and reopened its borders after a 2 years gap in September 2022.
On the 21st of February 2023 after a few months of opening the border, the Bhutanese government announced that tourists visiting Bhutan can buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimpu from the 1st of March. If you're planning on visiting this country for a vacation with the best Bhutan tour package, you can also buy gold at lower rates.
According to the government, this decision was made to celebrate the birth anniversary of the king, the Bhutanese new year, and to promote tourism. This scheme is said to be extremely beneficial for Indian tourists as they make up a huge part and the largest number of tourists in Bhutan.
Although all tourists are allowed to buy duty-free gold in Bhutan but there are certain conditions you need to fulfill before buying. According to the government, all tourists who pay a sustainable development fee (SDF), have travel insurance, and stay at least one night at a 3-star or above hotel certified by the Department of Tourism are eligible to buy the duty-free gold.
The daily SDF is about 1200 rs for tourists from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives while it is about 200 dollars for tourists from other nations. After spending a night in Bhutan all tourists are eligible to buy duty-free gold but they have to pay in US dollars and not in Bhutanese currency or the currency of their country.
Indian tourists can buy 10 grams of 24k gold at about 45,177 BTN with a maximum of 20g for both men and women and since one BTN is roughly one rupee it is a great deal. Tourists can take advantage of this scheme as the central board of indirect taxes and customs allows Indian male tourists to bring about 50000 rupees and Indian women to bring about 1 lakh worth of gold from abroad.
In conclusion, here are all the conditions travelers need to fulfill to buy duty-free gold offered by Bhutan:
- Travellers need to pay a sustainable development fee of 1200 per person which is already mandatory for visitors
- Travellers must stay for at least one night in a 3-star or above hotel certified by the Tourism Department of Bhutan
- Travellers need to get travel insurance
- All travelers buying gold must pay in USD($) or US dollars
- Travellers can buy up to 20 grams of gold per person
The gold is sold in duty-free outlets owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry in Phuentsholing and Thimpu from Monday to Friday. Following these conditions, you can buy gold at lower rates, have a relaxing vacation, and visit the compelling country of Bhutan with the best Bhutan tour packages from Gemini Tours and Travels.